Sensitive handling of schools review
Dear Editor In his column in the PA on October 13, Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart complains about the current PKC administration conducting the school estates review in a “manner that is alarming”.
He inadvertently forgets to mention that the school estates review and the options it has to follow was the product of the previous SNP administration of PKC.
This administration is following that criteria but in a manner that no one could describe as alarming.
No decisions have been made about any school, nor will they, ‘til the results of the review have been examined by all councillors. Pete Wishart
At each event there has been a number of council staff to answer questions and discuss the issues as well as administration and other councillors at each event to listen to the public’s views.
In addition, the education convenor has attended every review event.
I notice Mr Wishart has made no comment in his piece about the reduction in teacher numbers of 4000+ since the SNP have been in Holyrood, nor the £1.5bn in cuts to local authority education funding over the last 10 years.
A report out only last week, highlights that class sizes in some Scottish schools are now amongst the highest in the developed world with a 40% increase in class sizes over 30 pupils.
Remember that target of 18 per primary school class? No? Neither do the SNP.
Mr Wishart and parents can be assured that this administration on PKC will treat this review in the way it deserves to be treated with sensitivity, a focus on educational standards, and a desire to provide our children with the best opportunities to give them the best start in life. Cllr Ian Campbell Leader, Perth and Kinross Council